Bug 835732

Description of problem:

With the install dvd I couldn't get the graphical display to work correctly but could use the tab key and a little trial and error to go through the install. Kernel options like resolution= and xdriver= were completely ignored by the installer and I still got the same size screen with the buttons off screen.

The install would hang during the network setup process where it would identify my lan card as a p4p1 controller with a mac address of all F's. Not being able to change the controller means you can't go forward and clicking the Back button exits the installer.

Repeated identical results using the text mode install as well.

I downloaded the Fedora 16 Live CD iso (605 mb) and installed it onto a USB stick and successfully booted the computer using that. (hooray I thought) It also went through the install process without a flaw. (think I'm on a winner here) System boots fine, and fast, but there's no dvd drive, my realtek lan is still a p4p1 controller with a mac address of all F's, and the terminal won't let me sudo or use su. I can look but I can't touch.


Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):

Fedora 16 install DVD using kernel-PAE-3.1.0-7.fc16.i686


How reproducible:

Very - does the same thing on two other computers with new intel chipsets.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. build a new computer with motherboard chipset intel B75

2. insert F16 install DVD

3. press enter key at appropriate moment
  
Actual results:

unusable fedora system

Expected results:

0 to google in 17 seconds.

Additional info:

All computers are also running WinXP and all components are running without fault. Install media has been checked and has also been used on 4 other computers including a Mac Pro and the system runs flawlessly.

The computers I'm having trouble with aren't anything special, just cheap motherboards with intel chipsets, built-in intel graphics and realtek sound and lan:

Gigabytes - GA-B75M-D3H

Asrock - H61M/U3S3

Results listed above were for the Gigabytes motherboards, with the Asrock board installer crashes while trying to load Xserver. Text mode also fails to start.

Whith both motherboards if the installer DVD is left in the drive when you reboot then motherboard goes into a continuous cycle of rebooting until you pull the power plug.

With the Asrock motherboard trying to boot from a Fedora Live-USB just sends the motherboard into a continuous cycle of rebooting.

I'm making the assumption that it's just a lack of driver modules for newer chipsets as the fedora installs and runs so beautifully on the other machines. It's a shame really, when I helped people choose these motherboards I deliberately steered them towards intel chipsets because they always had such great support under linux.

I'm halfway through upgrading a full install (using that same install DVD) on an external USB drive in the hope that if I can find and install the correct chipset drivers I should be able to boot these machines from the usb, if that works then all I need to do is find out how to use kickstart and livecd to make my own install DVD.

Cheers,

Andrew.